556 SELECTIONS FROM ADDRESSES. 



quantity and impair its force. To do all this, requires some- 

 study of the organization and laws of animal life. It is neces- 

 sary to know something of the human structure— -of what it is 

 capable, and the accidents it is liable to, in the several periods 

 of its existence. Men, like the fruits of the earth, have their 

 different seasons for coming to maturity ; and such is the di- 

 versity of physical development, that some are competent to 

 hard labor and vigorous exercise, much earlier than others. 

 These are considerations that should be knov/n, and never be 

 disregarded. You have pride in a spirited and graceful young 

 horse ; and you say to your son : — " Be careful, and not force 

 him beyond an easy and harmless speed." But do you treat 

 your son with the same consideration ? If he is growing up 

 with a sanguine instead of a lymphatic temperament, you 

 should remember to treat him with as much tenderness, at 

 least, as you treat your horse, and apply the curb rather than 

 the spur ; for by forcing an ambition that needs to be re- 

 strained, you may impair his constitution, and incapacitate him 

 for future labor, and consequently for future happiness. There 

 is no keener misery than that which proceeds from physical 

 inability for active life. The amount of service, therefore, 

 which the farmer requires from his help, should ever be with 

 him the object of a watchful supervision. 



Health is an essential contingent of physical force ; and its' 

 preservation more important than the guarding of treasures of 

 gold ; for if you lose your gold you can gain more, or you can 

 do without it ; but if you lose health, you lose not only your 

 best treasure, but your ability to gain other treasures. The 

 great requisites for health are pure air, pure water, v/holesome 

 diet, and regular habits of living. No class of the community 

 has such control over these accidents of life as the yeomanry. 

 Attention to them is an important branch of physical culture. 

 The farm-house costs no more when erected upon a gentle el- 

 evation, where the pure breezes of heaven strike it on every 

 side, than when built by a bog or in proximity with a slough. 

 It should be thoroughly ventilated ; and with an abundance of 

 pure air and pure water, the farmer's house may be made his 

 castle of health as well as of safety. But little occasion has he 



